IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Kay Street, LONDON, E2 8GQ

In 1868, the North Eastern Hospital for Children opened on this site. In 1908 it was renamed the Queen's Hospital for Children, and in 1942 after amalgamation with another similar institution from Shadwell, the present name was adopted. However, in 1998 the services of this hospital were transferred to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.

The date above the first pair of houses is 1820, which implies that the original inhabitants of these houses would have been fairly well-off, possibly possessing their own carriages, as this of course would have well pre-dated the railway, which did not reach the nearest station at London Fields until 1872, (the station at Cambridge Heath did not open until 1884). In those days, this was considered a very desirable place to reside.

In the first past of the 20th century, various businesses were based at the site now occupied by Hackney City Farm, ranging from furniture makers to button manufacturers. From 1940 onwards the site was occupied by a road haulage company. Later in 1982, local people formed the farm, and kept a few animals in the nearby Covent Gardens. Two years later in 1984, Hackney City Farm moved to the current site and was given a hundred year lease by Hackney Council. The attractive garden is alongside Goldsmith's Row. A fuller history can be seen at hackneycityfarm.co.uk/about/history/ and the website of the farm is at https://hackneycityfarm.co.uk/

Walking east along Hackney Road, it is a surprise to encounter a pub sign in what seem to be an unlikely place. It directs you up a narrow alleyway called Sebright Passage to the Sebright Arms, but sadly the last pint appears to have been pulled here, for it has recently closed.

In the first past of the 20th century, various businesses were based at the site now occupied by Hackney City Farm, ranging from furniture makers to button manufacturers. From 1940 onwards the site was occupied by a road haulage company. Later in 1982, local people formed the farm, and kept a few animals in the nearby Covent Gardens. Two years later in 1984, Hackney City Farm moved to the current site and was given a hundred year lease by Hackney Council. The attractive garden is alongside Goldsmith's Row. A fuller history can be seen at hackneycityfarm.co.uk/about/history/ and the website of the farm is at https://hackneycityfarm.co.uk/

The BMX track is accessible whenever the park is open and is free to use. Hackney BMX club run coaching sessions every Sunday, 10am - 12noon. Photographed from Goldsmith's Row. More information from Hackney Council's website http://www.hackney.gov.uk/haggerston-park.htm Haggerston Park is in the south west corner of Hackney, bordered by Queensbridge Road, Hackney Road and Goldsmith's Row. The park was developed in two phases - the previously industrial northern half of the site became a public park in the late 1950s and the southern half of the park was fully developed for public use in the 1980s.

It does not appear to have been closed very long. It looks as if it would have been a welcoming and unpretentious place.